US Sanctions Iran Revolutionary Guard Drone Command for "Threatening International Peace and Stability"

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Ahead of the resumption of negotiations next month to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA·Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), the United States has imposed sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drone command.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on the 29th (local time) that it is sanctioning Brigadier General Sayyed Aghazani, who leads the IRGC drone command.

The Treasury Department claimed that Brig. Gen. Aghazani was behind the series of attacks on ships in the Gulf of Oman this year and the 2019 airstrike on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities. It also added that armed drones of the IRGC have attacked U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East and vessels of several countries passing through the Gulf waters.

The Treasury also imposed sanctions on two companies that supported the IRGC's drone development and supplied parts. The Treasury explained that it is freezing their assets within the United States and blocking all financial transactions. It also warned that foreigners who conduct transactions with these entities may face U.S. sanctions.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo emphasized in a statement, "Iran's enhancement of drone capabilities threatens international peace and stability," and added, "We will continue to hold Iran accountable for its irresponsible and violent actions."

Iran immediately reacted. According to the state-run IRNA news agency, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said, "The new sanctions against Iran show the White House's contradictory behavior," and added, "The Biden administration, no different from the Trump administration, is not trustworthy."

Since early April, Iran has been negotiating in Vienna, Austria, with Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany to restore the nuclear deal. The negotiations have been temporarily suspended since June 20. On the 27th, Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of Iran's nuclear negotiation team, stated that talks to restore the nuclear deal would resume within next month.